Apparatus for encaement of conduit material



ug- 25, 1964 c. l.. BROWN ETAI. 3,145,444

' AWARATUS FOR ENCASEMENT oF coNnuI'r MATERIAL IN VEN TORS maw/m A TTRNE YS 4 Sheet-Sheet 2 Aug- 25, 1964 c. 1 BROWN ETAL APPARATUS FOR ENCASEMENT OF CONDUIT MATERIAL Filed Sept. 8, 1960 Aug. 25,1964 lc. L. BROWN ETAL. 3,1453444 APPARATUS FoR ENCASEMENT oF coNnuIT MATERIAL Filed Sept. 8, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet i i INVENToRs;

Arm/wey;

Aug. 25,1964

` VAPPARATUS OR ENCASEMENT OF CONDUIT MATERIAL Filed Sept .A 8, 1960 4 sheets-sheet 4 United States Patent O 3,145,444 APPARATUS FR ENCASEMENT GF CNDUET MATERIAL Cyrus L. Brown, Auburn, John A. Madiil, Arcadia, and David l'. Swope, North Hollywood, Calif., assignors to Piasti-Con Pipe Company, Auburn, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Sept. 8, 196i), Ser. No. 54,717 7 Claims. (Cl. 25-32) This invention relates to novel apparatus for encasing continuous lengths of conduits, such as pipe material, in a trench. More particularly, the invention involves a machine that is constructed to be moved longitudinally of a trench in which the conduits are to be encased. While prior art pipe encasing machinery has been utilized for a similar purpose, the present invention is to be distinguished from those structures by its manner of operation, as well as by features of novel utility.

In brief, the present invention comprises a sled having a vibrating conduit support with vibrating probes. The sled is disposed in a trench and is moved longitudinally thereof while the conduit material passes over the Vibrating support and is encased in cementitious material. It will be seen that the vibrations of the support are imparted -to the pipe material as well as to the probe members that project into a region of pipe encasement. And it has been found that a maximum compaction of cementitious material may be derived by causing the support to be vibrated in a direction having both vertical and horizontal components.

One point of novel utility resides in a construction that allows the pipe supporting means to be easily removed and replaced with another of similar kind. It will be understood that various pipe encasement programs will require differing numbers and arrangements of pipes. Accordingly, it is extremely beneicial to have a single machine which may be adapted to encase various sizes, numbers and arrangements of conduits. Since the present invention provides a machine construction that allows the removal and supplantation of pipe supporting means, the versatility and usefulness of the machine are greatly enhanced.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for encasing one or more conduits in cementitious material comprising a sled and a vibrating support for conduits that are to be encased. l

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for encasing one or more conduits in cementitious material including a vibrated support for said conduits having a plurality of vibrated probes projecting therefrom and into a region of pipe encasement.

An additional object is to provide an apparatus for encasing one or more conduits in cementitious material including a vibrating means for causing a conduit support to be imparted with vibrations having both vertical and horizontal components.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an apparatus for encasing one or more conduits in cementitious material comprising a sled and vibrated supporting means for conduits, said supporting means being removably mounted upon said sled and being subject to supplantation by other supporting means.

Another and still further object is to provide an apparatus for encasing one or more conduits in cementitious material comprising: an elongated sled having front and rear ends and of generally U-shaped cross section generally conforming to the cross section of the trench within which said tubular members are to be en cased; hoppermeans mounted at the rear of said sled; a pipe support frame adapted to be mounted upon said sled for supporting one or more tubular members there- 3,145,444 Patented Aug. 25., 1964 lCe on, means for removably mounting said support frame proximate the front end of said sled allowing other support frames to be substituted therefor; a vibrated plate support having one or more openings therein for receiving tubular members horizontally therethrough, means for removably mounting said vibrated plate forwardly of said hopper and upon said sled allowing other plate supports to be substituted therefor, and means for vibrating said plate support.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a vibrating support for conduits and the like comprising a vertically mounted support plate and a rigidly connected vibrator stand, said support being adapted for use with a machine for encasing one or more conduits in a trench.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent in view ofthe following detailed description and especially in View of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings forming a part of this application and in which like parts are identified by like reference numerals throughout the same,

FIG. l is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of a pipe laying machine constructed in accordance with this invention, said machine being shown in the process of encasing conduits in cementitious material in a trench, said trench being illustrated in longitudinal section and a portion of the cementitious material being broken away to suggest pipe encasement;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pipe laying and encasernent apparatus of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the pipe machine of FIGS. l and 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial end elevation of the pipe machine, and particularly showing the vibrating conduit support;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a portion of the pipe machine showing details of the vibrating conduit support and its assembly;

FIG. 6 is another longitudinal section of the vibrating conduit support and assembly, showing the support in two stages of removal from its mounting upon the sled;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the vibrating conduit support, removed from the sled and having its vibrating means removed therefrom;

FIG. 8 is a detail in section of the bumper assembly that restricts pivotal and forward movement of the vibrating conduit support relative to the sled;

4IG. 9 is a detail in section of the front end of the sled, showing a removable support assembly for the conduits; and

FIG. l0 is a perspective view of the removable front end conduit support as employed with the pipe machine construction of FIG. 9.

y Referring to FIGS. l and 2 in particular, there is shown a pipe laying machine 1i? disposed in a trench 11, within which a plurality of conduits 12 are to be encased in cementitious material 13. In a conventional manner, the machine is adapted to be moved longitudinally of the trench by a cable 14 and a Winch (not shown) that is anchored Well ahead of the machine. It will be understood that the conduits 12 are not moved relative to the ditch but that they are supported and positioned by the machine as it is advanced. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the conduits will be lengthened by connecting additional pipe lengths as the machine is advanced along the trench. While the conduits 12 may be formed of any suitable materials, synthetic substances which are not subject to the eifects of corrosives are desirable.

Machine 10 is generally comprised of a sled 15, a

Y hopper 16, a troweling plate 17 mounted in back of said tudinal plane by four bolt members 19. Each bolt mem-4 A u ber extends from the juncture of the sections to a level proximate electric plant 13. Thus, although the machine may be disposed in a rather deep trench with the junction of sections 15a and 15b well below ground level, it is nevertheless possible to disconnect the sections from a position above ground level by operation of handles Us, as shown in FIG. 3. This assembly construction is of material importance and advantage, since the size and weight of the assembled machine may be quite large and heavy. It will be seen that each section, being of about equal size, may be separately moved to and from a trench thereby facilitating a handling of the machine.

This invention also provides a novel conduit supporting means including a rear vibrated support assembly 20 and a front support 2l mounted upon the lower section of sled 15. The details of this supporting means are most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 3-10.

FIGS. 4 8, in particular, show the manner in which the vibrated assembly 20 is mounted. This assembly comprises a vertical plate 22 having openings 23 therein for receiving conduits 12 therethrough. A plurality of probes or finger members 24 are mounted to the back surface of plate 22, said probes projecting outwardly beneath the hopper i6 and into a region of pipe encasement. The probes may be rigidly aixed to the plate by means of nut members 25, or may be more permanently mounted, as by welding. In addition, assembly 2t) includes a vibrator stand 26 that is mounted lto the front surface of plate 22 and having a vibrator supporting surface 27 inclined downwardly with respect to plate 22. Stand 26 also provides a vibration transmitting plate 28 which extends along a substantial portion of plate 22. It will be noted that vibrations imparted in a direction normal to surface 27 by a vibrator 29 mounted thereon will have both vertical and horizontal components that are transmitted directly through plate 28 to both upper and lower surfaces of plate 22. This construction, it has been found, is a most effective means for imparting vibrations to all portions of plate 22. Moreover, since the vibrations imparted to the lower surfaces do not pass through plate 22 itself, the mass of said plate will not produce unwanted dampening that would otherwise obstruct a uniform vibration of the entire plate surface and its connected probes.

Assembly 2t) also includes means for mounting the unitary assemblage of plate 22 and support stand 26 in a vertical guide. For this purpose a support member 30 is rigidly connected to plate 28 and extending forwardly therefrom. Member 3l) is confined within a groove of ahanger bar 31, which spans the sides of sled 15 and is removably suspended by bolts 32 from flanges that extend along both sides of sled 15. It will be appreciated that the hanger bar 3l allows plates 22 and stand 26 to be vibrationally raised thereabove but prevents it from falling. Moreover, the height of the hanger bar may be controlled by adjustment of bolts 32 and their lock nuts 32a to allow the base edge of plate 22 to contact or be in close proximity to the bottom surface of sled 15.

Plate 22' is also supported in its vertical position by the forward side f a cross rib-plate 34 and bumper mounts 33. A cushionV pad 34a is mounted to said ribplate for engaging the vertical face of plate 22.

The bumper mounts 33 are provided near the bottom ofthe sled upon flanges or ears that project inward from the sides. A detail View of one suitable type bumper mount is shown in FIG. 8 and is comprised of a block 35 of resilient material bolted to a ange 36. While the plate 22 might be suliciently constrained and guided between pad 34a and' hanger bar 3l alone, the use of bumper mounts 33 is desirable Where the heavy cementitious material tends to pivot the plate about the pad and raise it above the bottom surface of the sled.

The particular construction thus provided has the attendant and desirable feature of being quickly and easily removable. FIG. 6 clearly illustrates how the Vibrator support assembly may be removed and replaced by another having, perhaps, a different arrangement of conduit openings 23, or sizes thereof. lt will be seen that by removing the hanger bar 31 the entire support may be pivoted around the pad 34a and lifted out from beneath the hopper 16 and troweling plate i7. The vibrator 29 may be removed from stand 26 before or after removal of the entire support, and unless the same vibrator is to be used on the support to be substituted, it would be desirable to leave the vibrator mounted to the stand.

It may be noted that plate 22 is a laminated structure having a iiexible gasket 37 sandwiched between complementary outer plates 22a and 22]). The gasket 37 has an edge portion 37a extending inwardly of plate openings 23 for engaging a conduit projected therethrough. Gasket 37, therefore, serves as a wiping means, insuring that the cementitious material is retained on the hopper side of plate 22.

The front support 21 is also removably mounted upon sled i5 ina manner most clearly shown in FFSS. 3, 9 and l0. Support 21 comprises a frame 33 and a plurality of roller members 39 mounted thereon. The frame is adapted to be placed upon sled 15 and pinned thereto by vertical bolts 4t? that project through openings in across rib 4l of the sled and engage nuts 42. The bottom of frame 38 is held in place by pinning members 43 which extend upward from the bottom surface of the sled and through openings 44 provided in frame 38. It will be realized that frame 38 may be removed from the sled by the initi-al removal of bolts 40. The frame may then be pivoted longitudinally of the sled upon members 43 until' openings 44 may be dislodged therefrom. Accordingly, various arrangements of rollers can be provided on frames of similar shape. And whenever a particular program of pipe encasement is desired, the frame arrangement suitable for that program may be rapidly installed.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of this invention is shown and described, many variations and substitutions may be made without departing from the spi-rit of this invention. Therefore, the use of any methods, structures or arrangements that' are properly within the scope of the appended claimsis contemplated.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

lv. Apparatus for encasing one or more tubular members in cementitious material, comprising: an elongated sied having front and rear ends; hopper means mounted to the rear of said sled; a vibrating support for tubular members disposed upon said sled forwardly of said hopper means and including a vertically mounted vibrated support frame having one or more openings therein for receiving tubular members horizontally therethrough and supportingY said tubular members in spaced relationship to a' trench; meansr for mounting said vibrating support and frame upon said sled independently of said hopper means, said mounting means defining a substantially vertical guide and permitting relatively free upward movement of said support frame relative to said sled; and means mounted to said' support frame for vibrating said frame and tubular members supported thereon.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further including a plurality of vibrated finger members mounted to the back' surface of said support frame and projecting rearwardly therefrom.

3. The' apparatus of claim 2 wherein said vibrating means is mounted to saidV support frame for imparting vibrations having both vertical and horizontal components.`

4. The apparatus of claim l wherein said support frame has a working surface disposed in a substantially vertical plane,` saidf means for mounting said support framev upon said sled' comprising upper and lower stops for limiting horizontal displacement of said support frame and a hanger member connected to said sled and er1- gageable with said support frame at a point displaced from its working surface, said hanger member limiting pivotal movement of said support frame and holding sadi support frame against said upper and lower stops.

5. In a machine for encasing one or more tubular members in cementitious material, a vibrating support for said tubular members comprising a vertically disposed vibrated plate having a front and back surface and one or more openings therein for receiving tubular members horizontally therethrough and supporting said tubular members in spaced relationship to a trench, wiping means extending inwardly and circumferentially of said plate openings for engaging said tubular members, a vibrator stand including a vibrator support plate mounted to the front surface of said vibrated plate and projecting forwardly therefrom, said vibrator support plate having a vibrator supporting suface inclined downwardly with respect to said vertical vibrated plate, a vibrator mounted upon said stand for transmitting vibrations having both vertical and horizontal components, and a plurality of vibrated nger members mounted to the back surface of said plate and projecting outwardly therefrom.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 and further wherein said vibrator support stand includes a vibration transmitting plate mounted to the front surface of said vibrated plate and to said support plate, said vibration transmitting plate contacting the front surface of said vibrated plate along a substantial portion of its vertical length.

7. Apparatus for encasing one or more tubular members in cementitious material, comprising: an elongated sled having front and rear ends; hopper means mounted to the rear of said sled; a vibrating support for tubular members disposed upon said sled forwardly of said hopper means and including a vertically mounted vibrated support frame having one or more openings therein for receiving tubular members horizontally therethrough and supporting said tubular members in spaced relationship to a trench, said support frame having a working surface disposed in a substantially vertical plane; means for mounting said support frame upon said sled independently of said hopper means, said mounting means comprising a bumper guide bar extending transversely of said sled, lower bumpers, and a hanger member connected to said sled and engageable with said support frame at a point displaced from its working surface; and means mounted to said support frame for vibrating said frame and tubular members supported thereon.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 288,033 Detrick Nov. 6, 1883 857,589 Boyle June 25, 1907 1,674,445 Murray June 19, 1928 1,792,855 McRae Feb. 17, 1931 2,292,733 Baily Aug. l1, 1942 2,731,698 Tunsen Jan. 24, 1956 2,876,717 Tetyak Mar. 10, 1959 2,968,081 Williamson et al. Ian. 17, 1961 3,049,783 Hanson Aug. 2l, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,008,180 Germany May 9, 1957 

1. APPARATUS FOR ENCASING ONE OR MORE TUBULAR MEMBERS IN CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, COMPIRSING: AN ELONGATED SLED HAVING FRONT AND REAR ENDS; HOPPER MEANS MOUNTED TO THE REAR OF SAID SLED; A VIBRATING SUPPORT FOR TUBULAR MEMBERS DISPOSED UPON SAID SLED FORWARDLY OF SAID HOPPER MEANS AND INCLUDING A VERTICALLY MOUNTED VIBRATED SUPPORT FRAME HAVING ONE OR MORE OPENINGS THEREIN FOR RECEIVING TUBULAR MEMBERS HORIZONTALLY THERETHROUGH AND SUPPORTING SAID TUBULAR MEMBERS IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO A TRENCH; MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID VIBRATING SUPPORT AND FRAME UPON SAID SLED INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID HOPPER MEANS, SAID MOUNTING MEANS DEFINING A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL GUIDE AND PERMITTING RELATIVELY FREE UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID SUPPORT FRAME RELATIVE TO SAID SLED; AND MEANS MOUNTED TO SAID SUPPORT FRAME FOR VIBRATING SAID FRAME AND TUBULAR MEMBERS SUPPORTED THEREON. 